Yahiko sank into the steaming water, grateful for the feeling it gave
his body. The warmth soaked into his skin and seemed to take the
weariness and fatigue from his limbs. He closed his eyes for a moment,
but found it impossible to clear his mind any. And he scowled when he
realized that Kenshin stood just outside the bath house.

"You should go rest, Kenshin. You've had a long day too." Yahiko
glared at the shadow beyond the door.

"I thought I'd stay out here and enjoy the night air." Kenshin called
back in a rurouni voice. Yahiko groaned.

"Yea, right. You came out to make sure I don't roam off without anyone
knowing." he stated back acidly.

Kenshin suddenly opened the door and stepped into the bath house,
catching Yahiko slightly off guard. The younger man quickly turned
around, leaning his back against the tub and towards his mentor.
Kenshin sat down and picked up his old reverse blade sword, which was
laying behind Yahiko on a ledge.

Kenshin slid it from the sheath, watching his reflection in the steel.
It had been the first time he'd held his old sword since he'd given it
to Yahiko almost two years earlier. "Nothing..." He said quietly. "I
just haven't thought much about it, since I gave it to you."
Yahiko picked up a rag and gingerly rubbed his ankle. He found he had
no words to speak. Nothing to ask, nothing to say. Kenshin remained
silent behind him as well for another moment.

"Yahiko, remember this. You must be completely focused from this point
on in your battle."

Yahiko froze; the strange tone in Kenshin's voice was something he
rarely heard.

"You must also allow us to help you. Your ankle is still hurt, and it
will be hard for you to fight with it like that. Aoshi and Saitoh are
both ready to assist in the matter. Though I'm not fond of Saitoh, I
can admit he is easily one of the best swordsmen in this country, and
Aoshi isn't very far behind him. Trust in your allies, Yahiko. Have I
ever told you anything other then the truth?"

"No." Yahiko's head dropped at the lecture. "But Kenshin -"

"There isn't a 'but' in this matter, Yahiko." Kenshin's eyes darkened
into swirling pools of deep violet. "Trust me this once. You aren't
in top condition for a battle, if one breaks out." He sat the sword
back on the floor and stood up, ducking out of the bath house. But
Yahiko noticed that even though Kenshin had shut the door again, he
remained just outside.

His dark eyes glared at Kenshin's shadow again. *Kenshin, I've always
trusted you - with my life. but this isn't your battle. It isn't
yours, or Aoshi's, or Saitoh's... it's MINE.*

~*~

The door opened to Gasuke's private quarters, and the self-proclaimed
manslayer stepped inside. His wicked smile turned to Tsubame, who was
sitting quietly on her futon. Her long hair fell over her shoulders
and hid her eyes from him, but he could still sense her fear.

"So, Tsubame... do you think that stupid brat will come for you?"

She clenched her fists angrily. Gasuke had hardly spoken to her after
the first day she'd arrived. And now, there was a tone in his voice
she didn't like.

"Yahiko was supposed to work off a debt, but our old boss just let him
walk out of here."

"He was allowed to leave." she argued softly. "Kenshin-San spoke with
that boss of yours and -"

"Himura Kenshin. The red-headed man Yahiko was saved by." Gasuke
smirked. "I should take revenge on him as well, for beating me that
day. But, I have no real quarrel with that man aside from the fact
that he beat me. It's Yahiko I'm after."

"Why?" she continued staring at the floor, avoiding looking at him.

"He's a brat. He should have been forced to stay here." Gasuke glared.
"And your old boss wasn't happy that he was beaten by Yahiko either.
So we've paired up, and by kidnapping you - we'll eventually get him
here and he'll be forced to either save you... or die."

"Don't worry, girl. I won't hurt you." Gasuke pulled his sword out and
began polishing the steel. Tsubame only shrank against the wall,
desperate to put more distance between them.

*Yahiko, please hurry and find me...* Her mind screamed.

"In fact, I might even let you go after I kill that brat." he mused.
"Unless I think you'd make a good pet. Something I could play with on
occasion."

"Bastard." she whispered. "I hate you." Her voice sounded weak, but
it was full of anger.

"Strong words for a shy young girl." he replied, sliding the sword away
again. "I'll break you of that habit once Yahiko's out of the way."
He walked over and grinned towards her, then reached out and brought
his fingers along her cheek. She flinched and snatched away, like a
small kitten afraid of a dog.

He only laughed at her. "Pleasant dreams." he sneered. "After a few
days, you'll be mine to do with as I please. And don't think I haven't
thought about taking advantage of you before I kill Yahiko. It's
crossed my mind several times, pet."

The door slammed. Tsubame began shaking. When she heard the outer
door slam as well, and realized Gasuke had left, she crumpled onto the
futon and began sobbing. "Yahiko... Oh gods... Yahiko... I'm so
scared..."

~*~

Kaoru had finished making Yahiko's futon as comfortable as possible.
Deep inside, she felt sorry for him. She could almost feel the pain he
felt, and wondered how much longer he would be able to keep going if
Kenshin and Aoshi weren't able to find the syndicate the next day. She
glanced up as he came into his room at that exact moment. His ankle
had been freshly wrapped, and she was glad for that. Kenshin must have
seen to it.

"Did you eat?" she asked.

"Yea, Misao made me." he replied gruffly, trying to ignore her.

"And took a bath?"

"Kenshin stood right outside the entire time." he snapped. He fell
down on the futon and placed the sword beside him where he could grab
it in a second if he had to. "Are you all going to sleep in my room to
make sure I stay?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yahiko, I know this entire thing is taking a toll on you." Kaoru
regarded him quietly for a moment before continuing. "We're not trying
to make you stay - but we do know it's for the best tonight. Trust us,
alright?"

"That's what Kenshin said." Yahiko rolled over, turning his back on
Kaoru. "I'll stay - but I'm not happy about it."

She nodded. "Arigrato... good night." Blowing the candle out, she then
left, leaving her old student in the darkness.

It took a few minutes before his eyes adjusted to the blackness around
him. He could hear Kaoru and Kenshin in the next room over, getting
ready for bed. Aoshi and Misao were across the hall. He slowly curled
up under the blankets, his eyes watering with tears again.

Slowly, they started slipping across his face onto the futon. He made
sure he stayed perfectly quiet - knowing he'd never be able to face his
friends again if they saw him crying. One hand covered his face as he
gritted his teeth together, his mind flashing images of Tsubame over
and over. *Please just let me go to sleep so I won't cry.*

The door slid open again, and Yahiko's eyes widened. He was glad his
back was facing the door, and he decided not to speak in case his voice
cracked. He heard the door shut again, and figured it had only been
Kenshin peeking inside. Then he felt a small hand gently touch his
shoulder.

"Yahiko...?" Kenji's voice sounded like wind - it was so quiet but so
gentle and considerate for a five-year-old. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, not trusting his voice.

"I knew you were crying..." the boy whispered, sitting down on the
futon next to his older 'brother'.

Kenji shook his head. "No... I just could feel it... Mommy's taking a
bath right now... I thought I'd come make you feel better." The boy's
eyes were a wide crystalline pale violet, glittering in the darkness
with innocence.

"You can't." Yahiko choked, sitting up a little. "No one can, Kenji.
But thanks for trying." He closed his eyes. "I'd just like to get
some sleep."

There was a long pause as Kenji stood up. Yahiko waited in silence for
him to leave, but instead Kenji wrapped his arms around Yahiko's neck,
leaning his small cheek against the older boy's bare shoulder.
"Yahiko, I don't want you to be sad..." he whispered, biting his lip.
"I don't like seeing you sad. You're hurting, Yahiko..." His eyes
shut tightly, as if he really could feel the pain in his brother's
heart.

Yahiko couldn't help but to start crying again. His strong arms
wrapped protectively around Kenji, hugging the small boy to his chest.
"Kenji..." he finally managed to speak. "Arigrato Kenji..." He had no
idea how the boy could be so compassionate for his age.

Kenji straightened up, his face scrunched in aggravation. "But I
haven't made you feel better, Yahiko."

"Really?" Kenji smiled a little. "I'm glad... good night..." He waved
and darted back out the door. Yahiko fell back on the futon, unsure
whether to laugh or cry at the encounter. He closed his eyes and tried
to breathe regularly, and the tears slowly stopped. Before he knew it,
he was asleep.

~*~

The sunlight was bright. Yahiko shielded his eyes as he walked along
a familiar worn path on the outskirts of Tokyo, glancing around as if
he were looking for someone. He could see a Sakura orchard ahead of
him; and pink petals drifting on the wind without care, as if they
danced to music only they heard. He smiled as he started walking
towards it, intrigued with the sight.

Tsubame slowly ambled through a beautiful Sakura orchard, raising her
eyes towards the canopy above her. Only patches of blue sky sparkled
through in certain places - the flowers were so thick they covered
the space between her and the clouds. The thick cover only allowed
so much sunlight to the ground beneath her, creating lacey patterns.
She wished she weren't alone; it was so beautiful she wanted others to
see it as well.

Yahiko brushed a branch heavy with flowers aside, watching as petals
broke off and caught the wind. It was breath-taking inside the
orchard; with sunlight and shadows mixed to create a fantasy of sorts.
He could sense someone else in the maze of trees, and he wondered who
else could possibly be wandering in the orchard with him.

Tsubame suddenly stopped as a gust of breeze sent a curtain of petals
across her path, swirling them in pink glory around her. She brushed
her hair behind one ear, smiling at the sight. Then her eyes caught
something else. Someone watching her some ten feet away.

Yahiko stared in awe. Tsubame stood in the midst of the trees and a
swirl of flowers, her hair blowing softly around her face as she
giggled and let the wind play around her. Her light silver kimono
caught the few beams of sunlight around her and reflected them like
crystal. She suddenly stopped her quiet laughter and looked towards
him, her mouth parting slightly in surprise.

"Tsubame..." he whispered. He could feel his feet moving, bringing him
closer to her. She smiled back at him shyly, her hands clasping behind
her back in anticipation.

"Yahiko..." She couldn't help but stare at him. The dark green gi he
wore contrasted with the light petals floating around him. She could
see the muscles of his chest rippling as he walked, his skin darker and
more tan than hers. She shivered, part of her wishing to reach out and
touch his chest, to run her hands over his skin, his muscles, his arms,
his back...

He stopped in front of her, dark brown eyes watching her intently. She
felt herself drowning in their depth, and she gently held her hand out
towards him. He leaned into her, bringing one hand across her cheek,
and she smiled, letting her extended hand rest against his chest. He
felt himself leaning down towards her, desperate to kiss her and hold
her, but he wasn't sure why.

"Aishiteru." he whispered, letting his lips brush hers.

Then, without warning, everything around him fell dark. Tsubame cried
out and clutched his gi, holding him close. "Yahiko... don't leave me!
Please!" she begged.

His eyes looked up as his arms locked around her. The branches above
him were stripping bare of their beautiful petals, and breaking apart.
Darkness was filling the sky, extinguishing the sunlight. He grabbed
her hand and sprinted forward. "Come on!" he shouted. "We have to get
out of here!"

She nodded and tried to follow, but her long kimono seemed to get in
the way. He twisted and went to pick her up in his arms, but a sudden
pain shot through his leg and he collasped to the ground, gripping his
ankle.

He watched in horror as the darkness seemed to lock around her, closing
in on her body. She was screaming, and he couldn't make himself move.
His entire body seemed paralized. It took all his willpower to force
his legs to move, and when they final did, they felt like lead. The
wind tore around his body, ripping his clothes. He could barely see
her. The pain was almost unbearable, but somehow he managed to lunge
at the dark mass around her. Just as she disappeared, he caught her
fingers.

"Tsubame!!!!! Hold on!!!" He screamed, but the wind was drowning his
words out. He reached with his other hand and took hold of her wrist.
The darkness began engulfing him as well, and he struggled to keep his
footing on the ground.

*Please, don't let go of me, Yahiko!*

He started to pull her arm, and he felt her other fingers wrap around
his wrist. It was taking all his strength to stay upright. He could
feel everything around him moving, with the wind and the blackness.

*Tsubame, I'm trying... I can't keep standing much longer!*

*You have to save me! Please, Yahiko! I'm so scared! YAHIKO!*

Her fingers began slipping from his hold, and he screamed as her hand
released from his grip.

"TSUBAME!!!!!!!"

~*~

"YAHIKO! WAKE UP!" Kaoru all but screamed as she grabbed his wrists to
hold him still. He had thrashed so much the blankets were scattered
around him. Cold sweat covered his face and his body. Even though she
was a master of Kamiya Kasshin, it took all of Kaoru's strength to hold
him remotely in place.

"Yahiko!" She released one hand and quickly slapped him - not wanting
to hurt him, but desperate to wake him.

His eyes suddenly shot open, wide and full of fear. His breathing was
heavy and his chest rose and fell rapidly. Kaoru slowly released his
other wrist. "Thank the gods..." she mumbled, sinking back on her legs
and running a hand through her bangs.

"Kaoru... What... happened?"

"You were dreaming. I heard you call out a few minutes ago." she
sighed, her voice tired. "Kenshin was so fast asleep he didn't even
wake up. I thought it was a little strange - usually he doesn't sleep
that heavily. I came in to make sure you were alright."

Yahiko focused on the ceiling, taking deep breaths as he tried to calm
down. "It was a dream..." he mumbled. Kaoru remained silent, hoping
he would keep talking about it.

"It... I was... walking... in an sakura orchard. It was beautiful.
And I saw Tsubame standing there... and... all this darkness just
appeared and I couldn't save her..."

Kaoru stared in surprise as tears began to stream down his face. He
covered his eyes with one hand. "Gods, I couldn't save her! I tried!
I did everything I could! But I couldn't even move, and she just
slipped through my fingers... Kaoru... How can I be SO weak? I'm a
master of Kamiya Kasshin, and I've even learned some of Kenshin's
moves... so HOW can I be so weak?!"

Kaoru bit her lip to keep from crying herself, and gently pulled him
up. "Shhh, it's alright. It was only a dream." Her arms wrapped
around him, for she thought of him as her brother. "Tsubame will be
fine... Kenshin and Aoshi will get her back tomorrow... You aren't weak
Yahiko."

"I couldn't save her..." he buried his face against her shoulder, just
as Kenji had done to him a few hours earlier. She rubbed his back
soothingly, hoping to calm him down. "She slipped through my hands...
I'm scared, Kaoru... I know I'm supposed to stay strong but I'm scared
something's happened to her... I love her..."

Kaoru closed her eyes. "I know. We all know."

The door opened from the hall, and Kenshin blinked at what he saw.
Kaoru was holding Yahiko and murmuring for him to calm down, while the
18-year-old was...crying?

"Oro?" Kenshin stared.

"Kenshin," Kaoru's voice was soft and concerned. "Go make some tea.
For Yahiko."

He nodded and disappeared down the hall, shaking his head. "Must have
been a bad dream... Guess I won't ask." he sighed.

~*~

Tsubame woke with a start. Her face was cold and sweaty, her palms
felt clammy... she fought to remember the dream she'd had. An orchard
full of beautiful blossoms... and Yahiko... Her eyes widened. He'd
kissed her. Her hand slowly moved to her lips, straining to relive the
feel of his mouth brushing hers. Then the rest of the dream came to
her. Darkness had engulfed her. Everything was black - the wind had
been horrible. And something had tried to drag her into the darkness.
Yahiko was trying to save her... and she couldn't remember anymore.

She felt her body shivering at this point, cold and scared.

"What's the matter, Tsubame?" A voice sneered. "Have a bad dream?"

She cringed. Gasuke.

"About your precious Yahiko?" His voice turned to sarcasm.

"Leave me alone. It's not your business..." she whispered, curling
into a ball. Her hand remained on her lips.

He only laughed and sat back on his side of the room, in the darkness.
"Well, more sweet dreams for you, Tsubame-Chan." he snickered. She
wrapped the blankets tightly around her body, hoping this too was only
a bad dream. Her eyes flashed angrily. But this time, she decided,
the wind wouldn't force her and Yahiko apart.

*He WILL find me. I know it.*

~*~

Yahiko managed to stop crying. He felt ashamed to let Kaoru see his
tears, but he simply couldn't hold them in after the dream he'd had.
He felt connected to Tsubame some how - and it gave him a little
comfort to know she was alive, even if he'd seen her only in the dream.

Suddenly he sat up straight, pulling away from his old sensei. Kaoru
blinked. "Are you alright now?" she asked hesitantly.

"K. S." His eyes darkened angrily. "I know what it means."

Kaoru frowned. "It could mean a number of things. We'll discuss that
tomorrow."

"No. It means one thing." He growled. "Kanto Shuei."

Kenshin appeared in the doorway, holding a cup of tea. "Here, Yahiko.
Drink this."

Yahiko took the cup and glared into the swirling tea, his eyes flashing
with hate. "Bastards." he hissed. He wasn't sure how he'd remembered
the Shuei, but in his heart he knew his hunch was correct.

"What?" Kenshin arched an eyebrow.

Kaoru stood up, bowing her head. "Kenshin and Aoshi will speak with
Saitoh tomorrow, Yahiko. It's best that you drink that and go back to
sleep for another hour. It's only five o'clock in the morning after
all."

"The Shuei." His hand gripped the cup so tightly that his knuckles
turned white. Kenshin's eyes narrowed.

"What did you say, Yahiko?"

"The initals in the letter. It means Kanto Shuei. I figured it out.
It had to be that bastard Gasuke." Yahiko's hand shook just barely.
"That BASTARD. When I see him..."

The cup shattered in his hands.

Kaoru shrank back. She'd never felt Yahiko's ki as it was now. His
entire body seemed to seeth with anger. His bangs fell into his eyes,
hiding the fury written in them. Kenshin wrapped an arm around his
wife. He had never seen Yahiko so angry either.

"Yahiko. Calm down." he said quietly.

"BASTARD." he hissed again, ignoring the small cuts on his hand and the
shattered peices and tea on the blanket.

Kenshin's eyes flickered gold for a split second. If he didn't force
the boy to stay where he was, he wouldn't be able to stop Yahiko at
all. "YAHIKO. I said, CALM. DOWN."

The sharpness in Kenshin's voice reached through the anger. Yahiko's
eyes stopped flickering for a moment, and he looked up at his mentor.
Kenshin could still feel the anger, but it wasn't quite as strong as it
had been a moment earlier.

"Think before you act. You're correct - the Shuei Syndicate kidnapped
Tsubame." Kenshin's eyes returned to their violet color. "Aoshi and
Saitoh are going there as soon as daylight hits. It's too early yet.
They'll bring her back."
*No... Tsubame's expecting ME to find her... I felt that in my dream.*

Kenshin nodded and turned back for the kitchen. Kaoru stared at Yahiko
for a moment.

"And Kaoru...?"

"Yes?" she asked quietly.

"Um... if it's not too much trouble..." He smiled faintly at her.
"Could I have a rice ball too?"

She smiled back and nodded. "I'll be back in just a minute... as soon
as I can make one up. Stay right there."

The door slid shut, and Yahiko took a deep breath. Throwing the covers
off his body, he jumped up and grabbed a fresh hakama and his dark
green gi. His mind was racing.

*This time, I won't let you slip through my fingers...* he tied the obi
on the hakama and hurriedly grabbed his sandels.

"Yahiko?"

The voice was so quiet, but unexpected, that it made Yahiko nearly
jump through the roof. He whirled around. "Kenji! Don't DO that!" he
snapped.

"Where are you going?" Kenji ignored the aggravated look Yahiko was
giving him. "Didn't mother and father tell you to stay here?"

Yahiko looked guiltly. He could see faint pink light on the rice paper
indicating that the sun was going to rise within the next thirty
minutes. He HAD to get to the Shuei Syndicate before the others.
"Kenji, listen to me. I know you won't understand, but I've got to
leave - right now." he knelt down beside the boy. "Can you please NOT
tell your parents until I'm at least out of the gate?"

Kenji scrunched his face up for a moment, debating.

Yahiko groaned loudly. "Kenji, it's NOT that hard of a decision!
Please - for me?"

The boy let out an exasperated sigh, but nodded. Yahiko stood up and
strapped his sword on his back. "Arigrato, Kenji..." he ruffled the
boy's hair again.